New Zealand may be known for it’s Hobbits, aggressive rugby players and flightless birds, but with a third of the country designated a conservation area, they love their outdoors too. But the Kiwis don’t just like to look at their glorious nature and beautiful environment. Oh no, they are determined to thrill-seek, adrenaline-pump and heart-race in it as often as possible. A whole slew of extreme sports and activities have originated there and been exported and adopted around the world. But what new outdoor tortures have the New Zealanders got lined up for the rest of the unsuspecting world? Here’s a sample…
CLIFF HANGER
For those amongst you that feel bungee jumping is yesterday’s news, this adds a new demented twist. Rather than heading straight down and bouncing back up, the Cliff Hanger is more like a demonic playground swing. Alone or with a brave companion you are strapped in and pushed off a ledge hundreds of feet in the air. You then swing in an enormous arc, reaching speeds of up to 70KPH. For added horror, you can be counted down or take the ‘surprise’ option and not know when the push over the edge is coming. So if you love to swing, take the plunge with the Cliff Hanger.
FLYING FOX
Another alternative to the classic bungee – not up and down, not side to side but across! Get ready to enjoy a gravity driven experience that’s about as close to Superman style flying you can possibly get. Once you reach the high-rise platform, you’ll be strapped in alone or with up to two intrepid companions. Lying face down and suspended off the ground, you’ll fly head first along a line and out into the air, hundreds of feet off the ground. With the fastest ever Fox trip hitting 100MPH, you are in for the ride of your life.
MONSTER TRUCK DRIVING
Sure you’ve seen Monster Trucks and marvelled at their large-tired prowess – but how about driving one? Or, even more impressively, how about riding in the world’s only Monster Truck School Bus? Not sure why it isn’t a Monster School Bus, but it isn’t. But it does crush cars and navigate large obstacles in the traditional Monster Truck manner. There are opportunities for stunt driving and off-road racing also.
HYDRO-ZORBING
We all know the Kiwi’s brought Zorbing into the world – that strange craze of rolling down a hillside inside a huge inflatable ball. But not content with making us dizzy, they want to make us wet as well, so they devised Hydro-Zorbing. Water is added to your Zorb bubble, so it feels as if you are inside a giant washing machine as you bolt down a slope. You’ll never look at a Zorb in the same way again.
SNORKLE SHARK CAGE DIVES
The perfect way for the novice to get up close and personal with Jaws himself. With snorkel cage diving, the shark cage bobs on the surface of the water, so there is no need to dive. Those in the cage can drop beneath the surface and see the sharks feeding just inches away from them. More experienced divers have the option of using breathing apparatus and staying beneath the waves for a longer period. Plus the whole experience takes place in Gisborne, the first city in the world to see the new sun every day.
About the Author: Dale Shaw is a freelance writer, currently working for Wish UK who provide a thrilling range of experience days and activities. If you fancy doing something a little mad, then check them out here to see what’s on offer.